Vaccinium corymbosum L. plant named &#39;RYOKU NH-11&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of  Vaccinium corymbosum  L. plant named ‘RYOKU NH-11’, characterized by having stronger plant vigor, a more upright plant growth habit, comparatively early fruit ripening time, comparatively large and uniform fruit size, and smaller and dry stem scar, as compared to other  Vaccinium corymbosum  L. varieties.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to Japanese Plant Breeders' Rights Application No. 31723, filed Jan. 4, 2017, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

The Latin name of the genus and species of the novel variety disclosed herein is: Vaccinium corymbosum L.

The novel variety of the Vaccinium corymbosum L. disclosed herein has been given the variety denomination: ‘RYOKU NH-11’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct hybrid variety of northern highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum L.) named ‘RYOKU NH-11’. This novel variety was found by open pollination of ‘Chandler’, a seed parent variety, in the tests conducted for the period from 2003 to 2007 in Matsumoto-City, Nagano-prefecture, Japan. As stated below, ‘RYOKU NH-11’ has apparently different characteristics from those of the varieties ‘Chandler’ and ‘Blueray’, both being widely planted and being important varieties in the Chubu district of Japan.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Blueberry variety ‘RYOKU NH-11’ exhibits outstanding and distinguishing characteristics when grown under normal horticultural conditions in the area from Nagano-prefecture to the north of the Kanto in Japan, including:

-   -   (1) stronger plant vigor and more upright plant growth habit;     -   (2) comparatively early fruit ripening time (on average, around         July 15 of each year, in Matsumoto-city, Nagano-prefecture,         Japan);     -   (3) comparatively large and uniform fruit size; and     -   (4) smaller and dry stem scar.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying colored photographs (FIGS. 1 to 8) show typical bush, flower, fruit and leaf characteristics for the new Vaccinium corymbosum L. plant ‘RYOKU NH-11’. Colors shown are as accurate as can be reasonably reproduced by photographic means. In some cases, the color might differ slightly from the colors of ‘RYOKU NH-11’ recited in the description.

FIG. 1 shows a tree body of ‘RYOKU NH-11’ (photographed date: Jul. 10, 2015; photographed location: NIPPON RYOKUSAN CO., LTD; Matsumoto-City, Nagano-prefecture, Japan).

FIG. 2 shows a panoramic view of the cultivation area of ‘RYOKU NH-11’ (photographed date: Sep. 7, 2012; photographed location: same as FIG. 1).

FIG. 3 shows whole flowers of ‘RYOKU NH-11’ (photographed date: May 6, 2014; photographed location: same as FIG. 1).

FIG. 4 shows broken-down parts of a flower of ‘RYOKU NH-11’ (photographed date: May 6, 2014; photographed location: same as FIG. 1).

FIG. 5 shows fruits of ‘RYOKU NH-11’ (photographed date: Jul. 20, 2012; photographed location: same as FIG. 1).

FIG. 6 shows a cross-section of the fruits of ‘RYOKU NH-11’ (photographed date: Jul. 20, 2012; photographed location: same as FIG. 1).

FIG. 7 shows an upper side of the leaves (10 sheets) of ‘RYOKU NH-11’ (photographed date: Aug. 3, 2012; photographed location: same as FIG. 1).

FIG. 8 shows a lower side of the leaves (10 sheets) of ‘RYOKU NH-11’ (photographed date: Aug. 3, 2012; photographed location: same as FIG. 1).

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION A. Distinctive Characteristics of ‘RYOKU NY-11’

As described above, ‘RYOKU NH-11’ was obtained by the open pollination of ‘Chandler’, a seed parent (Note: the possible pollen parent might be ‘Blueray’). On Apr. 15, 2003, about 10,000 seeds of ‘Chandler’, which were cultivated in the field of NIPPON RYOKUSAN CO., LTD. (Matsumoto, Nagano, Japan), were seeded in plant seeding trays, and then transplanted to pots. The resulting seedlings (about 3,000) were planted in cultivation pots on May 1, 2004. Fructification of the planted seedlings were started from Jun. 20, 2007 (on Year 3), and about 200 plant individuals were selected based on the characteristics, including larger fruit size, better taste balance of sweetness and acidity, higher yield per plant, earlier ripening time, large and uniform fruits, etc. For the about 200 plant individuals selected, test plots (each including about 20 cuttings per plant individual) were formed, where these plants were asexually propagated by cutting means. During the period from Jul. 20, 2009 to Dec. 25, 2016 and for 3 generations, the plants were propagated and examined for their characteristics based on the growth, yield, and fruits quality in each test plot. For 10 test plots, the characteristics of the plants were observed for the period between the flowering time and the ripening time yearly for 5 years, and since neither variant nor off-type plant was observed for the period, the characterization of ‘RYOKU NH-11’ was finished on Dec. 25, 2016 and the breeding was completed.

‘RYOKU NH-11’ is a blueberry clone distinguishable from the important blueberry varieties ‘Chandler’ and ‘Blueray’, both of which are widely planted in the Chubu district of Japan, due to its characteristics including stronger plant vigor, more upright plant growth habit, earlier fruit ripening time, larger and more uniform fruit size, and smaller and dry stem scar. 27 plants of ‘RYOKU NH-11’ had been propagated by cutting means in Matsumoto, Nagano, Japan, and all the resulting plants were phenotypically indistinguishable from the original plant variety ‘RYOKU NH-11’. In addition, comparing to ‘Chandler’ and ‘Blueray’, the claimed plant ‘RYOKU NH-11’ has a more upright plant growth habit, about 1-week earlier fruit ripening time (on average, around July 15 of each year in Matsumoto, Nagano, Japan), more uniform fruit size and smaller stem scar when compared to its related variety ‘Chandler’, and has stronger plant vigor, larger fruit size, and smaller stem scar when compared to the ‘Blueray’ variety (see Table 1 below).

The following data defining the characteristics of ‘RYOKU NH-11’ were collected from the asexual propagation carried out in Matsumoto, Nagano, Japan. The plant history was taken on a plot of 10 five-year-old plants growing in Matsumoto, Nagano, Japan. ‘RYOKU NH-11’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions, and the measurements provided might therefore vary if grown in different environments. Where averages are given, the sample size was 10.

B. Phenotypic Description of Vaccinium corymbosum L. (‘RYOKU NH-11’)

Characteristics of ‘RYOKU NH-11’ are further specifically described as follows:

-   1. Plant:     -   -   Plant vigor.—Strong, where the plant vigor is stronger than             ‘Blueray’.         -   Plant size.—Large.         -   Growth habit.—Upright.         -   Plant height.—1.7 m on average for 5-year old plant.         -   Plant spread.—1.1 m on average for 5-year old plant.         -   Tendency toward evergreenness.—Absent.         -   Cold hardiness.—Survived in winter frost (below −10° C.)             with minimum damage.         -   Ease of propagation.—At least 70% rooting percentage in each             of the dormant wood cutting and softwood stem cutting,             comparable to the other varieties. -   2. Trunk and branches:     -   -   Suckering tendency.—Less suckering as in ‘Chandler’.         -   Surface texture (of 6-month-old shoots).—Medium smoothness.         -   Surface texture (of 3-year-old and older wood).—Medium             smoothness.         -   Color of new twigs observed in the field.—Yellow green.         -   Internode length.—15.3 mm on average. -   3. Leaves:     -   -   Length including petiole.—69.4 mm on average.         -   Width at widest point.—35.2 mm on average.         -   Shape.—Elliptic.         -   Leaf margin.—Entire.         -   Color.—Upper surface: Medium Green.         -   Pubescence.—Upper Surface of leaves: Absent. Lower Surface             of leaves: Absent. Margins: Absent.         -   Timing of vegetative bud burst.—Medium. -   4. Flowers:     -   -   Shape.—Campanulate.         -   Flowering period.—Mean date of 50% opening of flowers in             Matsumoto-City, Nagano-prefecture, Japan is May 1 (2 days             earlier than ‘Chandler’).         -   Corolla.—Diameter: 9.6 mm on average. Length (from pedicel             attachment point to corolla tip excluding the pedicel): 12.3             mm on average. Color: light yellow white. Anthocyanin             coloration in corolla tube — Absent or very weak. -   5. Reproductive organs:     -   -   Pollen.—Color: Yellow. -   6. Fruit:     -   -   Mean date of 50% harvest in Matsumoto-City,             Nagano-prefecture.—July 15.         -   Diameter of calyx aperture on mature berry.—7.2 mm on             average.         -   Size and shape of calyx lobe on mature berry.—Medium in             size, outcurving, and having deep calyx basin.         -   Detachment force for ripe berries (easy, medium,             hard).—Easy.         -   Fruit cluster density (sparse, medium, dense).—Medium.         -   Fruiting type.—On one-year old shoots only. -   7. Berry:     -   -   Cluster (tight, medium, loose).—Medium.         -   Weight (on well-pruned plants).—4.51 g on average.         -   Height.—15.4 mm on average.         -   Width.—22.0 mm on average.         -   Shape.—Oblate.         -   Surface color of mature berries ripe on the plant.—Blue             purple.         -   Intensity of fruit bloom.—Medium.         -   Surface color of ripe berry after polishing.—Medium blue.         -   Immature berry color, with bloom.—Light green.         -   Immature berry color, without bloom.—Light yellow green.         -   Flesh color.—Light yellow to light green.         -   Peel color.—Medium blue.         -   Pedicel scar.—Medium, 2.54 mm on average.         -   Firmness.—Medium.         -   Intensity of fruit sweetness.—Medium, Bx 10.8.         -   Intensity of fruit acidity.—High, pH 2.80.         -   Texture.—Crispy and juicy, medium seeds. -   8. Use: ‘RYOKU NH-11’ produce northern highbush blueberries suitable     for fruit-picking farms, fresh fruit markets and processed fruit     markets, etc. -   9. Resistance to disease, insects, and mites: ‘RYOKU NH-11’ grew     vigorously and showed excellent bush survival in the field. It     appears to be tolerant to stem blight (Boliyosphaeria spp.) and root     rot (Phytophthora cinnamoni), with very few young plants dying soon     after planting. The response of ‘RYOKU NH-11’ to the various fungal     species that cause summer leaf spots is typical of other northern     highbush varieties, and fungicide applications may be needed after     harvest in order to reduce foliar diseases and to retain leaves     until autumn and make maximum flower bud set. Similarly,     susceptibility to typical blueberry insect and mite pathogens, such     as spotted wing drosophila (Drosophila suzukii), blueberry gall     midge (Dasineura oxycoccana) and blueberry bud mite (Acalitus     vaccini), is similar to other northern highbush cultivars.

TABLE 1 (Comparison of characteristics among varieties) The present Standard variety Charact. UPOV Variety RYOKU Control Varieties No. No. Code Characteristics Definition Method Class State (Ex. Var.) NH-11 Blueray Chandler 1 1 QN Plant: vigor Strength of Observation 3 weak Bluetta, 7 6 7 (*) (+) growth level (a) VG Meader of plant 5 medium Collins, Weymouth 7 strong Berkeley, Homebell, Woodard 2 QN Plant: size Size of plant Observation 3 small Avonblue, 7 5 7 crown (a) VG Bluetta, Flordablue 5 medium Bluecrop, Earliblue 7 large Dixi, Homebell, Tifblue 3 2 QN Plant: growth Whole shape of Observation 1 upright Becyblue, 1 1 2 (*) G habit plant without (a) VG Bluechip, pruning during June, dormant period Spartan 2 semi-upright Bluecrop, Lateblue 3 spreading Northland, Weymouth 4 3 PQ One-year-old Color of middle Observation 1 green 5 5 4 shoot: color part of shoot (a) VG 2 greenish red extended before 3 greyish red Briteblue, dormant period Homebell 4 reddish Berkeley, yellow Dixi 5 reddish Blueray, brown Darrow, Weymouth 6 dark red 5 QN One-year-old Length of Measurement 3 short 6 5 7 shoot: length middle part of mm 5 medium (214 mm) (173 mm) (288 mm) shoot extended (a) 7 long before dormant VG period 6 4 QN One-year-old Length of Observation 3 short Avonblue, 4 3 5 shoot: length internode of (a) VG Weymouth (15.3 mm) (14.0 mm) (16.7 mm) of internode shoot extended 5 medium (upper half) before dormant 7 long Jersey period (upper half) 7 5 QN Leaf: length Length of leaf Measurement 3 short 5 5 5 (*) sufficiently mm 5 medium (69.4 mm) (68.0 mm) (67.0 mm) expanded (b) MS/VG 7 long 8 6 QN Leaf: width Maximum Measurement 3 narrow 5 5 5 width of mm 5 medium (35.2 mm) (31.0 mm) (36.3 mm) mature leaf (b) MS/VG 7 broad 9 7 QN Leaf: ratio Ratio of leaf Measurement 3 small 5 (1.97) 5 (2.20) 5 (1.85) length/width length to (b) MS/VG 5 medium maximum 7 large width (leaf length/leaf width) 10 8 PQ Leaf: shape Shape of Observation 1 lanceolate 3 3 3 (*) mature leaf (b) VG 2 ovate Northland 3 elliptic Berkeley, Collins, Coville 4 oblong 11 QN Leaf: shape of Shape of tip of Observation 3 acute Weymouth, 5 5 5 (+) tip mature leaf (b) VG Woodard 5 medium Earliblue, Tifblue 7 obtuse Berkeley, Climax, Southland 12 9 QL Leaf: color of Color of surface Observation 1 yellow 2 2 2 upper side of mature leaf (b) VG 2 green Bluechip, Bluecrop, Blueray 13 10 QN Only varieties Intensity of Observation 3 light 5 5 5 (*) with green leaf green color on (b) VG 5 medium color: Leaf: surface of 7 dark intensity of mature leaf green color on upper side 14 11 QL Leaf: margin Type of margin Observation 1 entire 1 1 1 (*) of mature leaf (b) VG 2 serrate 15 12 QN Flower bud: Intensity of Observation 3 weak 5 7 5 anthocyanin anthocyanin (a) VG 5 medium coloration coloration of 7 strong flower bud occurring to one year old shoot 16 13 QN Inflorescence: Length of Measurement 3 short 6 5 6 length inflorescence at mm (c) 5 medium (35.6 mm) (28.7 mm) (35.1 mm) (excluding flowering time MS/VG 7 long peduncle) (excluding peduncle) 17 14 PQ Flower: shape Shape of corolla Observation 1 urceolate Bluecrop, 2 1-2 2-3 of corolla at full bloom (c) VG Jersey 2 campanulate Northblue, Northsky 3 cylindrical 18 PQ Flower: color Color of corolla Observation 1 white Aliceblue, 2 3 1 of corolla at full bloom (c) VG Bluetta, Briteblue 2 creamy Avonblue, white Berkeley, Bluecrop 3 greenish Blueray, white Collins, Coville 4 light pink Bluebell, Delite, Dixi, Tifblue 19 15 QN Flower: size Size of corolla Observation 3 small 7 5 7 (*) of corolla tube tube at full (c) VG 5 medium bloom 7 large 20 16 QN Flower: Intensity of Observation 1 absent or 1 3 1 (*) anthocyanin anthocyanin (c) VG very weak coloration of coloration on 3 weak corolla tube surface of 5 medium corolla tube 7 strong 21 17 QL Flower: ridges Presence or Observation 1 absent Herbert 9 9 9 on corolla tube absence of (c) VG 9 present Aliceblue ridges on Berkeley, corolla tube Dixi 22 18 QN Fruit cluster: Density of fruit Observation 3 sparse Homebell, 5 7 7 density per fruit cluster (d) VG Jersey, Woodard 5 medium Bluechip, Bluecrop, Bluetta 7 dense Darrow, Herbert, Patriot 23 19 QN Unripe fruit: Intensity of Observation 3 light 3 7 3 (*) intensity of green color of VG 5 medium green color fruit before 7 dark ripening 24 20 QN Fruit: size Size of fruit at Observation 3 small Home ball 7 5 7 (*) ripening (d) VG June, (4.51 g) (2.89 g) (5.72 g) Northblue 5 medium Collins, Earliblue 7 large Berkeley, Bluecrop, Spartan 25 21 PQ Fruit: shape in Shape in Observation 1 elliptic 3 3 3 (*) (+) longitudinal longitudinal (d) VG 2 round Berkeley, section section of fruit Jersey, at ripening Sharpblue 3 oblate Earliblue, Harison, Woodard 26 QN Fruit: size of Size of stem Observation 3 small 5 7 7 (+) scar scar of mature (d) VG 5 medium (2.54 mm) (3.80 mm) (3.98 mm) fruit 7 large 27 PQ Fruit: shape of Shape of calyx Observation 1 star 2 2 2 (+) calyx cavity cavity of mature (d) VG 2 circular fruit 28 22 QN Fruit: attitude Attitude of Observation 1 erect 3 3 3 of sepals sepals relative (d) VG 2 erect to to mature fruit semi-erect 3 semi-erect 4 level 29 23 QN Fruit: type of Direction of Observation 1 incurving 3 1 3 sepals curving of (d) VG 2 straight sepals 3 reflexed 30 24 QN Fruit: diameter Diameter of Observation 3 small Avonblue, 7 5 7 of calyx basin calyx basin of (d) VG Bluechip, (7.18 mm) (4.40 mm) (6.46 mm) mature fruit Sharpblue 5 medium Blueray, Woodard 7 large Coville, Darrow, Homebell 31 25 QN Fruit: depth of Depth of calyx Observation 3 shallow Bluecrop, 7 7 7 calyx basin basin of mature (d) VG Rancocas, (2.40 mm) (2.60 mm) (2.32 mm) fruit Tifblue 5 medium Earliblue, Jersey 7 deep Blueray, Collins, Dixi 32 26 QN Fruit: intensity Intensity of Observation 1 very weak 5 5 5 (*) of bloom bloom on surface (d) VG 3 weak Dixi, of mature fruit Herbert, Sharpblue 5 medium Collins, Coville 7 strong Avonblue Bluecrop, Tifblue 33 27 PQ Fruit: color of Color of skin Observation 1 light blue Berkeley, 2 2 2 (*) G skin (after of mature (d) VG Bluechip, removal of fruit after re- Tifblue bloom) moval of 2 medium Blueray, bloom blue Jerse, June 3 dark blue Dixi, Homebell 4 blue red 34 28 QN Fruit: firmness Firmness of Observation 3 soft Herbert, 5 6 5 (+) mature fruit (d) VG/VS Homebell, Spartan 5 medium Collins, Dixi 7 firm Coville, Southland 9 very firm 35 PQ Fruit: color of Color of flesh of Observation 1 white Berkeley, 2-3 3 3 flesh mature fruit (d) VG Bluecrop, Blueray 2 cream Earliblue 3 light green Bluechip, Lateblue, Sharpblue 4 light purple Aliceblue, Delite, Homebell 36 29 QN Fruit: Sweetness of Observation 3 low Avonblue, 5 7 6 (*) (+) sweetness mature fruit (d) VG Bluechip (Bx 10.8) (Bx 12.6) (Bx 13.0) 5 medium Berkeley, Bluetta, Spartan 7 high Aliceblue, Bluecrop, Blueray 37 30 QN Fruit: acidity Acidity of Observation 3 low Earliblue, 7 5 6 (*) (+) mature fruit (d) VG Homebell (pH 2.80) (pH 3.12) (pH 2.96) 5 medium Blueray, Herbert 7 high Collins, Elliott, Lateblue 38 31 QL Plant: fruiting Shoots to which Observation 1 on one- 1 1 1 (*) G type fruits adnate (c) VG year-old shoots only 2 on one- year-old and current season's shoots 39 QN Fruit: Tendency of Observation 3 less Earliblue, 3 3 3 tendency of cracking during (d) VG Herbert, cracking harvest season Spartan 5 medium Avonblue, Berkeley, Bluechip 7 much Briteblue, Climax, Darrow 40 32 QN Time of Time of Measurement 3 early Avonblue, 5 5 5 (*) (+) vegatative bud beginning to MG Beckyblue, Apr. 8 Apr. 6 Apr. 8 burst burst first Sharpblue (2016) (2016) (2016) vegatative bud 5 medium Darrow, of each in- Weymouth dividual plant 7 late Elliott, Lateblue 41 33 QN Time of be- Time of 10% Measurement 1 very early 6 5 6 (*) (+) ginning of flowering MG 3 early Apr. 26 Apr. 23 Apr. 27 G flowering on occurring to one 5 medium Bluecrop, (2016) (2016) (2016) one-year-old year old shoot Collins, shoot Woodard 7 late Dixi, Herbert, Lateblue 9 very late 42 34 QN Varieties Time of 10% Measurement 3 early — — — (*) (+) which fruit on flowering MG 5 medium G one-year-old occurring to 7 late shoot and current year's current shoot season's shoot: Time of beginning of flowering on current year's shoot 43 35 QN Time of Time of 10% Measurement 1 very early 6 6 6 (+) beginning of fruit ripening on MG 3 early Avonblue, Middle Middle Late G fruit ripening one year old Earliblue, July to July to July to on one-year- shoot Weymouth late July late July early old shoot 5 medium Herbert, August Jersey 7 late Briteblue, Elliott, Tifblue 9 very late 44 QN Period of Length of Measurement 3 short Darrow, 5 5 5 harvest harvest period MG Northblue of fruit 5 medium Berkeley Bluecrop 7 long Briteblue, Tifblue, Woodard 45 36 QN Varieties Time of 10% Measurement 3 early — — — (*) (+) which fruit on fruit ripening on MG 5 medium G one-year-old current year's 7 late shoot and shoot current season's shoot: Time of beginning of ripening on current year's shoot 

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct variety of Vaccinium corymbosum L. plant named ‘RYOKU NH-11’, as described and illustrated herein. 